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Sunday, 11 August 2024

Ten Years

I started this blog on 11th August, 2014, which means it has been going ten years as of today. The idea was to write a kind of autobiography covering how life has changed in England since I was little. 

The changes are many. After the war we still had ration books, bombed buildings, gas lights in the street, and Prefab houses. Later, in Leeds in the 1970s, my job took me to banks, building societies, manufacturers, merchants, shops, publishing and entertainment concerns, and businesses of all kinds that packed the city and further afield. Nearly all have gone. You could take evening classes in almost anything, and there were four or five cinemas in the city centre. The Leeds trams were no more, but sometimes I had to use the trolley buses in Bradford. 

I then went late to university, which led to a new career near the edge of the computer revolution, and saw change as it took place. I suppose I played a small part in it. I also came late to having a family, which has been great fun. I wanted to write it all down. 

There were few readers at first, but when I began to comment more on other blogs a few years ago, and chanced upon this friendly community, things began to pick up a bit. 

At times during the last two-and-a-half years I thought I would not see this day. I was as good as told it, but I am still here. The next milestones are more fruits of the garden, my birthday, and then Christmas. And then we will be into 2025 and hopefully it all comes round again. Or will it? That sounds gloomy, I know, but it is what it is, and that is all there is to it. 

It does not get easier, as my comment and response rates are beginning to show. The list of what I can no longer do, am not allowed to do, or would be stupid to try, is depressingly long. My reading difficulties make blogging slow and difficult, and I have thought of giving up, but it is one of the things that keeps me going, and I still have posts to write. I enjoy the exchange of humour, ideas, and opinions, reading what others have posted, and writing creatively. I am amazed others read it. Thank you so much, everyone. 

50 comments:

  1. I'm so glad to read what you give us, and happy blogiversary! Whenever you can get in is fine. You're always interesting.

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    1. Thank you. It does take me rather a long time to write posts and comments, but I keep on trying.

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  2. I echo Boud's comment. Your blog posts are always interesting, informative and entertaining, and your comments wryly humorous. I look forward to seeing your posts when they pop up and hope that you will continue for some time longer yet.

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    1. I suppose I write about things that interest me, and am pleased they interest others. I am ever so boring really.

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  3. I like your comments on my blog and the support you give me. I read your posts and especially like the spontaneous ones, like today's. I am sorry you have the health problems. I thought I was going to die 5 years ago and am still here. At one point then I did not expect to live another month. Now I just live each day as it comes as you do although I often think about giving up blogging when I can't stand the strain of people any longer and then along you come with a comment and I begin again and I don't stop after all because people like you make it all worth it. Thanks for blogging and the two way comments, it is all two way and that makes it good.

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    1. Thank you. It isn't as spontaneous as it might look. There was a load of blog statistics and health rubbish that I cut out.
      My dad would have said that if you expect the worst you can only be pleasantly surprised. Expecting the best leads to disappointments. Maybe we should hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

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  4. Happy anniversary. I hope you continue to write as and when you feel you want to. I'm perennially nosy so enjoy glimpses into your life.

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    1. I've got a long mental list of things I want to write about, but because I'm slow I try not to spend too much time. I really couldn't write every day like you do.

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  5. I've only stumbled upon you recently, but have found your posts interesting. I've been blogging since 2008 and have got to know many kind and interesting people over that time.

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    1. Even over my shorter, there are many I used to read that have disappeared. I find your blog interesting, too.

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  6. I am so very glad I found you. (Maybe from John Grey?) Here's to many more years. ♥

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    1. Thank you. I'm hopeful, but it's best to take things a bit at a time. Another year would be good.

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  7. Happy blog anniversary, it's lovely to have you around in the written world. And if you are having a birthday soon, a large (27 inch screen) will make the world much larger, and the words ;)

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    1. I am talking about aa computer of course.

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    2. Good idea, but unfortunately it would only help a bit. The problem is neurological rather than optical. I can't recognise words easily.

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  8. Happy 10th Blogoversary! A real milestone! Keep on sharing your blogging thoughts with us!

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    1. It is a longer time than all but one of the jobs I've had. Hard to believe.

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    2. I ought to be due a pay rise.

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  9. Grateful for all your posts and point of view on life--past and present. Congrats for 10 years of blogging. May you have the strength to continue sharing your wry humour, occasional sad thoughts and reflections on the changes in your world (and ours). All of them interesting. Wishing you all the best.

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  10. Happy anniversary! I enjoy the thoughts, observations, and such that you share.

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  11. You write well and in an interesting manner, so it is always a pleasurable read. The world of blog is quite special and it's great to be part of it.

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    1. The wish to write is probably what we all have in common most. There is a lot of very well written and interesting stuff around.

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  12. We seem close to the same age, an age that has seen unbelievable changes in the world over the decades since growing up post WW 2. I discovered your blog this year and will read as often as you post. I thoroughly enjoy the themes and stories of your posts.

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    1. I think we have lived through the best times there have ever been. I fear for those who are young now. Thank you.

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  13. Well, keep on blogging. It keeps you in the game. I'm one of those who always read you but doesn't comment very much. I get many comments from you and I am thankful.

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    1. Thank you. I don't read you or comment as much as I would like. I think we all know of blogs we would read regularly if only it were possible. I'll keep trying, though.

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  14. Happy anniversary to you. I have read you almost from the beginning, but was too intimidated back then, to comment. I hope you keep on for some time.

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    1. Yes, Joanne, I think you were one of my first followers and I remember reading your blog through the years. There was one particular period when I was sure we were going to lose you, when you sounded so ill. I hope I manage to keep going like you did. Keep on weaving.

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  15. Happy blog anniversary! I definitely must come by more and read your interest ing posts. Aloha

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    1. Thank you for following me. You are the newest, Joanne 2 above is one of the longest.

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  16. I know that in the background health concerns have invaded your life but here on the blog you keep all of that under wraps. It is nice to have another Yorkshire blogger to spar with and as I used to say to schoolboys, "Keep up the good work lad!"

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    1. I could repeat what Spike Milligan said of the then Prince Charles, but I won't be so mean. Thank you.

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  17. Belated Happy Blogoversary, Tasker!
    Of course it is different with your health issues, but in reality, none of us really know whether we'll still be around next year - or the next day, even. (My husband's very sudden death only 5 days after he turned 41 taught me that.)
    Like so many others here, I enjoy your blog, and am glad you have not stopped writing or occasionally commenting on my blog. It is very much appreciated, especially knowing that you have problems with your eyes, which I am certainly not a stranger to myself.

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    1. With me, it's not eyes but brain damage that makes reading difficult. I read you more than I comment, and especially enjoy the photographs of the German countryside. I wish I could travel to see it for real.

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  18. rhymeswithplague12 Aug 2024, 20:56:00

    Many congratulations, Tasker, and kudos (whatever they are) galore being sent your way. Like so many others, I enjoy your posts a great deal too. Please continue blogging as long as you can.

    From the guy you once said was the first person you had encountered since 1984 who knew what the number 65536 represented.

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    1. Oh, you know all kinds of things. I bet you even could explain 131072. But I bet you don't know what the wife of a marquess is called.

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    2. rhymeswithplague13 Aug 2024, 00:13:00

      I could explain 131072 but it would take me twice as long. Wiki told me in two seconds what the wife of a marquess is called, but would you believe it if I told you that the wife of an apostle is an epistle?

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  19. What a lovely blog post to read.
    I am v. pleased I get to read your posts. Often very interesting -- esp. ones where you share some of your life, interests and recollections (like a painting or photo of a street in Italy). I am actually very interested in your degrees and careers (which you have often vaguely touched on, from what I've read).
    Wishing you the best
    Liam.

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    1. Thank you. I am part computing and part psychology, in other words human-computer interaction.

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  20. Aw....now you've gone and brought tears to my eyes. You are a good fellow and I am glad that I discovered you. The blogging community we have built is a nice one. It has never failed me when I needed it.

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    1. Thank you. Yes, I was glad to find this circle of bloggers, too. When I first started I swapped comments with a few people on Wordpress where I had a mirror blog, but it was not a very homely community.

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  21. I don't comment as often as I could or should, but you and your blog posts are greatly appreciated. Long may they (and you) continue.

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  22. Dear Tasker, there are some bloggers with whom I feel an immediate rapport and you are one of that number. I would be most unhappy if you were to stop blogging. I enjoy all that you write. I was born in the West Riding and went to Leeds art school so your Yorkshire memories are of especial interest to me.
    I'm saddened that illness is making life difficult for you and admire the attitude that you take in dealing with it. Here's wishing for a great many more posts to come.

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    1. Thank you. I have a lot of ideas in the pipeline, but either the disease or the physiological effects of the treatment will catch up with me in the end. If it had happened 2 years earlier I would be long gone because the treatment was not available on the NHS and would have cost £85,000 p.a. privately.

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I welcome comments and hope to respond within a day or two, but my condition is making this increasingly difficult. Some days I might not look here at all. Also please note that comments on posts over two weeks old will not appear until they have been moderated.